Cerebral Cortex

It's
Convoluted
structure, consisting of Gray
Matter, is
thicker in Human Brain structures
than other animals. And Neurons
are more densely packed.

Although some creature's Brains, such as Whales and
Elephants, are not far behind the Human Brain in Neuron
density.

Accounting for approx forty percent of the Brain mass weight-wise, the Cerebral Cortex is subdivided into areas and labeled with their
own designation ofCortex.

These subdivisions are designated according to their currently detected function, such as Motor Cortex,
or Visual
Cortex.

Not always appreciated as such by some members of our species, the Cerebral Cortex is considered to be the seat of intelligent behavior. This absorbing component of our Brain has connections, via our Nervous System, to all parts of the Body.

Unlike the
Cerebellum, which takes most of it's cues from the external
environment, the Basal Ganglia are concerned with
internal cues and feedback.

Primarily involved
with voluntary movement at the Unconscious level, the Basal
Ganglia are also associated with physical habits. Both
the forming of habits and the execution of habits, once formed.

Connections to various other parts of the Brain structure, including the Prefrontal Cortex and
Hippocampus, suggest they may be involved in faculties
such as memory and learning, including higher Cognitive analytical
activities.

The Basal
Ganglia and Cerebellum are concerned with
movement at an Unconscious level. The Cerebral Cortex is concerned with movement at a Conscious level.

In a continuing display of harmonious cooperation throughout the Brainstructure, these three units work in synchronization to achieve
their purpose.

The physical
skills this accord permits are simply breathtaking.

Nuclei

Nuclei,
plural for Nucleus, are assemblages of Nerve Cells,
comprised of Gray Matter, or Gray and
White Matter, varying in size, shape, and complexity,
and having distinct functions. Typical examples being the Basal Ganglia, and Amygdala.

Distributed throughout the Brain structure
and Spinal Cord, and elsewhere in the body, they constitute a vast communications
system.

Gray
Matter

Gray Matter is composed of Neurons, (Nerve Cells) Glia, (support cells), Capillaries, (the body's smallest blood vessels) and Neuropil, the intricate network of connections formed from the Unmyelinated Axons, and Dendrites, of Neurons, along with Branches (Dendrites) of Glial Cells.

Myelin

Myelinis a fatty substance, that protects, and insulates, the Axons. Appreciably
increasing the speed of electrical signals within the Brain,
and to and from the Brain, involving whatever destination, around the body.

Neurons and Glia

Neurons Transmit and receive information via Electrical and Chemical signals, and form networks with each other from various parts of the brain, building and dismantling these networks depending on the individuals thought patterns.

Neurons consist of a Cell Body, one (usually) Axon, and varying amounts of Dendrites.

The more Dendrites a Neuron possesses, the more intricate the communication network it can establish with other Neurons.

There are two exceptions with Neural Cells and their Axons.

One exception is that Unipolar Neurons possess two Axons, and the other is Anaxonic Neurons, where Dendrite and Axon are elusively indistinguishable.

On going research
indicates Glia may be implicated in more than mere
support. This is exciting news. After being sidelined for nearly six
decades, Science is again displaying interest inGlia.

Being ascribed new
and important functions and properties, Glia provides
many new research avenues with hugely important relevance to Brain structure and understanding Human intelligence.